‘The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway’ (or S.M.J.) was a small independent railway company which ran a line across the empty, untouched centre of England. It visited the counties of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and a little of Buckinghamshire, only existing as the SMJ from 1909 to 1923. In 1923 the S.M.J.became a minor arm of the London Midland and Scottish (L.M.S.), then in 1948 'British Railways' 

Gone but not forgotten: "the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth"


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SMJ Forum

Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway 8 Replies

Did this railway (as opposed to the East & West Junction Railway) go into receivership - if so, when. And when did it come out of receivership?Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 11.

Bidford-on-Avon 5 Replies

Shall we bring this discussion under the proper heading!So far as the OS plan surveyed 1885, published 1886, is concerned: the OS liked - wherever they could  - to have text running parallel to the top and bottom borders. When they came to add the…Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 10.

North End and Warwick Road stations? 57 Replies

Some time ago we ahd an interesting and lively discussion on the mystery station at Tiffield, which added quite a lot to our collective knowledge.I've recently been looking closely at two of the other mystery stations- at North End (sometimes…Continue

Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Richard Maund Jan 27.

1873 timetable 4 Replies

Page 12 of Arthur Jordan's book features a full page reproduction of the E&WJ public timetable handbill for August 1873. Does anyone know where the original of that handbill is preserved?Incidentally, the timetable itself formed the basis of…Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Barry Taylor Jan 25.

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Comment by Peter S Lewis on September 28, 2009 at 18:51
Our newsletter incorporates all the "railtubenetwork" sites....The SMJ site is the original Andy Thompson site..I visited it,(in January 09) commented on how I was getting fed up with YouTube comments, and if I knew how to do it I'd set up "Steamtube..." ..10 minutes later Andy had set up the opening page....!!
So the SMJ site is the first site in the network...!!
Comment by adrian vaughan on September 28, 2009 at 18:37
But it isn't SMJ.
A.
Comment by Peter S Lewis on September 28, 2009 at 18:13
Adrian,

That sounds like an article for the newsletter!

Peter
Comment by adrian vaughan on September 28, 2009 at 8:11
I can't answer that simply . Suffice to say - the first book is sure to be special to the author. The 'Signalman's trilogy I had wanted to write for years. Because I always knew, even in 1955 that the railway was a very special thing and I am not writing hindsight. So I was very pleased to get something recorded of that time. There's a remarkable story about how those books came to be published.
Comment by Peter S Lewis on September 28, 2009 at 7:49
Adrian,

It seems we were almost contemporary "Irishmen"!! And you were well occupied!
On the subject of your books, which gave you the most satisfaction?

Speak again later!

Peter
Comment by adrian vaughan on September 28, 2009 at 6:18
Peter,
I lived for 7 years, starting in 1975, about 1.5 miles out of the little town of Killorglin, at the head of Dingle Bay where the Laune and the Maine ran into the sea. I at once started to explore railways and found the nly pictures of the Faranfore - Caherciven/Valentia line, through Killorglin, from H. C Casserly and from a man in York who'd holidayed in Killorglin in the early 50s! No-one in the town had any pictures. My work was restoring the ruin and 1/4 acre we'd bought, driving the school bus for CIE, helping with the milking at weekends at a large farm , writing books about the GWR...my wife tells me I have to write a book about it. And I thought I'd worked my way through all that. 30 books in 39 years is enough for me but.......mine is not to reason why
Comment by Peter S Lewis on September 27, 2009 at 22:27
Adrian,
I think its all about changing times...and not necessarily for the better!
Whereabouts in Ireland did you work? My wife and I lived in Bandon and later Cobh, Co Cork for 7 years (1973-80).
There were plenty of evidences of the former Cork and South West (?) railway...going to places like Clonakilty, Courtmacsherry........I think there is talk in Ireland of reinstating the lines in these areas...somehow!

Best regards,

Peter
Comment by adrian vaughan on September 27, 2009 at 17:29
Hello Peter,
I was lucky enough to have known the railway from at least 1950. Thee was a great feeling of loyalty. It was unspoken but it was there. I went to Ireland for 7 years and I found the feeling there. It was genuine. No-one went on 'bonding' courses!! It was the work. I am sure the same was in the police, fire brigade, NHS until some person decided .......Oh well, leave it out Adrian.

I'd send you a picture of City of Truro after I'd cleaned him up the other day - loyalty still - but it isn't SMJ.

All the best,
Adrian.

bonding' coursezs!!!
Comment by Peter S Lewis on September 27, 2009 at 17:20
Adrian,
Your comment below could be summed up by the title of a well known book I have read..."Railwaymen, Politics and Money"!!
Peter
Comment by Peter S Lewis on September 26, 2009 at 10:04
This is my neck of the woods...living as we do about a mile away from this site. Its a council yard now....
I wonder who the station master (?)/porter is......??

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